Lake Charles: Possible budget cuts

LAKE CHARLES, LA (KPLC) - The city of Lake Charles is hoping that the new year brings a new trend, an upward one. Comparing sales tax collections from July through December of 2008, to July through December of 2009, there is a decline of over 7-percent.

"That is a considerable amount of our budget. That equates to about 3.5 million dollars. We had a department head meeting a couple of weeks ago," said John Cardone, Lake Charles City Administrator.

If the decline continues, city departments should be prepared to cut budget by 6-percent.

"Over the next several months we will continue to monitor our sales tax. Hopefully, we will see a little bit of an increase. But if not, we will have to be prepared to make cuts, if necessary," said John Cardone.

If the budget cuts are necessary, it would be a scale-back that would affect many city departments.

Fire, police, and public works, those are the three major ones. They would be impacted considerably. But, we're also asking the smaller departments, such as the finance department, H. R. departments, to look at their budgets. Everyone is going to have to cut within their own department," said John Cardone.

If the city of Lake Charles continues to see a downward decline in sales tax collections, how would this affect city projects, like lake front and downtown development? According to city officials, it should not affect them at all.

"That money is budgeted. That was through the bond issue. We are borrowing that money and we have a mechanism in place to pay that money back. That should not be affected at all.

For now, they watch and wait for the sales, or lack of sales. This will dictate future cuts, from departments that are already working with less.

Crews are working to repair a water main in Sulphur. (Source: City of Sulphur)

The City of Sulphur is advising Maplewood residents that they may experience low water pressure or water outages due to a broken water main on the corner of Maplewood Drive and Center Circle Avenue. Crews are currently working to repair the broken main. The affected area extends from Cities Service Highway to Prater Road and from US 90 to I-10. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

The City of Sulphur is advising Maplewood residents that they may experience low water pressure or water outages due to a broken water main on the corner of Maplewood Drive and Center Circle Avenue. Crews are currently working to repair the broken main. The affected area extends from Cities Service Highway to Prater Road and from US 90 to I-10. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

A large police presence was on Third Street, near La. 14, Thursday morning after receiving a call of a possible kidnapping, said Lt. Richard Harrell, with the Lake Charles Police Department. The person who was the target of the alleged kidnapping is an adult an is in police care, Harrell said. Harrell said Lake Charles police and members of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office searched for the suspect, but were unable to locate the person. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

A large police presence was on Third Street, near La. 14, Thursday morning after receiving a call of a possible kidnapping, said Lt. Richard Harrell, with the Lake Charles Police Department. The person who was the target of the alleged kidnapping is an adult an is in police care, Harrell said. Harrell said Lake Charles police and members of the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office searched for the suspect, but were unable to locate the person. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

Leesville resident Ashley Johnson Stanley caught an incredible video of a rainbow in her backyard. Stanley says she filmed it during a rainstorm on Tuesday. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.More >>

Leesville resident Ashley Johnson Stanley caught an incredible video of a rainbow in her backyard. Stanley says she filmed it during a rainstorm on Tuesday. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.More >>

At least 1,124 residents are without power from Pujol Road all the way to Moeling Street near La. 171 according to the Entergy Map. According to Entergy, a serviceman is working to determine the cause of the outage. Power will be restored as soon as possible. Entergy estimates power will be restored by 2:30 p.m. Traffic lights may be affected. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

At least 1,124 residents are without power from Pujol Road all the way to Moeling Street near La. 171 according to the Entergy Map. According to Entergy, a serviceman is working to determine the cause of the outage. Power will be restored as soon as possible. Entergy estimates power will be restored by 2:30 p.m. Traffic lights may be affected. Copyright 2018 KPLC. All rights reserved.

This Saturday, the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force is hosting a free child passenger safety seat check event in Lake Charles, according to Sgt. James Anderson of Louisiana State Police. Anyone who transports a young child in a vehicle is encouraged to take advantage of this service. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of deaths in children, many of which can be prevented with proper seat checks, says Anderson. Anderson says nationally certified child passen...

This Saturday, the Louisiana Passenger Safety Task Force is hosting a free child passenger safety seat check event in Lake Charles, according to Sgt. James Anderson of Louisiana State Police. Anyone who transports a young child in a vehicle is encouraged to take advantage of this service. Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of deaths in children, many of which can be prevented with proper seat checks, says Anderson. Anderson says nationally certified child passen...